Expenses

Clagett Farm's annual expenses for the vegetable operation are about $170,000, which includes seed, fuel, and other supplies, and our greatest expense, which is a modest living wage for our staff.

About 86 percent of our expenses are covered by income from selling CSA shares. Another three percent comes from selling wholesale garlic. One percent comes from a few events we hold for the public.

The Capital Area Food Bank contributes $17,000 to the vegetable operation, which is about 10 percent of our budget. And the Chesapeake Bay Foundation provides rent-free land, office, and living space; liability insurance, and accounting oversight. We also benefit from the intermittent assistance of volunteers, both groups and individuals, who help us with harvesting, field work, and office work. This allows us to donate nearly half of our produce each year to local agencies that serve the hungry in our area.